I'm trying to rip music files with a max bitrate of 256kbps. I'm using "-V 0 --vbr-new", and it is still outputting files with a max of 320. It even lists the file in Explorer as 320. What can I do to fix this? Thanks

LAME -V 0 does not max out at 256 kbps. VBR will adjust as necessary, from 32 Kbps all the way up to 320 Kbps.

What you are probably seeing:

Microsoft media products don't read the correct average bitrate on LAME MP3 VBR files; in most cases it'll display something very close to "maximum bitrate." So, for LAME -V 0... it'll often display 320 Kbps, even though the average is probably closer to 256 Kbps.

However... In Windows Media Player 10 or 11, if you play a MP3 VBR track to the end... it will update the Bit Rate column display (and the WMP database) with the correct average value. But this doesn't impact Explorer.

Do you have EAC's Parameter passing scheme set to "User Defined Encoder"?

If not, you should.